Aggies Prep For Regionals

ATLANTA – Members of the North Carolina A&T track and field team that qualified for the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round competed over the weekend at the Georgia Tech Invitational.

“We’re going to try and get them better seeded, work on their rhythm a little bit more and work on their timing at Georgia Tech and then it’s on to regionals,” said Duane Ross, director of track and field programs.

One athlete achieved Ross’ goal.

Junior Keenan Smith jumped a personal-best of 51-feet, 7 ¼ inches in the triple jump, placing third overall. Smith moved up from 23rd to now being tied for ninth place in the region.

The men’s 400 meter relay team (seniors Desmond Lawrence, Darryl Williams, freshman Caleb Gabriel and junior Marquis Noble) placed first at the Georgia Invitational running a time of 40.21. The relay is currently tied at eighth place in the region with South Carolina.

The rankings are subject to change weekly based on athletes’ performances. Lawrence is 24th in the 100 (10.33) and 41st in the 200 (20.88). Williams is ranked 38th in the 100 (10.39). Freshman Joshua Peoples is currently 30th in the region in the men’s 200 at 20.82.

Freshman hurdler Todd Townsend is ranked in both the 110 and 400 hurdles. Townsend is currently 39th in the 110-hurdles (14.13) and 47th in the 400-hurdles (52.39).

Sophomore Nakita Gray is ranked 27th in the women's high jump at 5-feet, 9 3/4 inches.

The Aggies next competition will be at the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round in Florida May 29-30.